Nanowires network

A method for preparing a network of nanowires comprising the steps of:

• i. providing a first gas flow to a reaction vessel;
• wherein said first gas flow comprises at least one precursor compound comprising at least one element selected from Si, Ge, Al, Cu, Zn, Pt, Mo, W, Mn, and Li;
• wherein the at least one precursor compound is a metallic hydride or an organometallic compound;
• and
• ii. providing a second gas flow to the reaction vessel, said second gas flow comprising metallic catalyst particles;
• wherein the metallic catalyst particles consist of one element selected from Au, Ag, Cu, Fe, Ni, Ga, Co, Pt, In and Al;
• so as the first and second gas flows are mixed in the reaction vessel to form a gas flow mixture consisting of:
• the at least one precursor compound,
• at least a sheath gas selected from nitrogen, hydrogen and/or noble gases, and
• the metallic catalyst particles;
• wherein the precursor compound or the sum of precursor compounds is in the gas flow mixture in a mole fraction (xi) of between 0.006 and 0.50;
• wherein the temperature inside the reaction vessel ranges from 200 to 800° C. or is at least 801° C.;
• and
• wherein the at least one precursor compound decomposes under the temperature inside the reaction vessel and grows on the metallic catalyst particles by vapor liquid-solid (VLS) and/or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to form a network of nanowires;
• wherein the nanowires of the network of nanowires are made of a solid material or are hollow.